Time tracking loop for diversity pilots

Abstract

Techniques for time tracking diversity pilots are disclosed. In one aspect, an early and a late energy calculation is made on each incoming symbol using a first pilot sequence for despreading. The difference between the two energies is used to drive a tracking loop, which generates a time reference for producing a first pilot estimate and a second pilot estimate, the two estimates used for demodulating data. In another aspect, the early and late energies are made including a plurality of incoming symbols, the number of which corresponds to the number of symbols in a run of positive or negative values in an orthogonalizing sequence. The orthogonalizing sequence is used to generate a second pilot sequence from a first pilot sequence, the resulting second pilot sequence being orthogonal to the first. These aspects have the benefit of simplifying the hardware or processing steps required for transmit diversity time tracking, resulting in cost savings, power savings, simplicity of design, and the like.